Tips From the Moving Company Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine
With pinball making a huge revival throughout the country, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these classic, stunning makers stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire individuals moving them to be safe, too.
In the beginning look, pinball machines can appear daunting to move since of their size, weight, and fragility. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a couple of tricks up their sleeves to ensure your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox
Most of modern-day pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, using either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State devices.
Later on machines have hinges and use a latching system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added security, in case the lock is broken or accidentally un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you require to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, however over time the key might have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.
When within, get rid of the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the maker. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, but they ought to be different sizes, making it tough to plug back improperly.
You can now remove the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will assist keep the back glass in location.
Early Solid State Pinballs
For early Solid State Pinballs, you will have to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among three locations: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.
Once unlocked, eliminate the back glass by lifting it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.
Open up the back box lamp panel by raising the lock situated on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and give you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs require you to lift up the lamp panel in order to swing it open.
Now that you are within, you can eliminate the bolts, and any plugs that have wires decreasing into the maker. You might want to label these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not require to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry needs to be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.
At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs
For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.
For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.
If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, click here now you're done. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.
If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to enter. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the. Use the supplied key to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.
Next, you will require to get rid of the display screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. And lastly, open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
Eliminate the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.
Pinball Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The contemporary pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be eliminated, and the legs will come off.
These captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been needed. If this holds true, you will have to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.
With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Then move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. Next, raise the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains pipes, and lift the playfield up.
You should now have access to any nuts that may have been used. Once any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.
Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.
You are now prepared to transfer your pinball device. Before you load it, make sure you remove the pinballs so they don't bounce around throughout transportation.
If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a buddy to have and assist one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.
Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you need to stop all of a sudden!
For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to remove the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern click to read more pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).
If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it might be simpler to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a buddy to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.